Ipomoea pandurata - Wild Potato Vine, Man of the Earth, Wild Sweet Potato, Bigroot Morning Glory. This member of the morning glory family, like its cousin the sweet potato, has an edible root - but research it yourself before eating it, and don't eat it raw.

Purple-pink center on this large-flowered morning glory is an identifying characteristic.

Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2016-July-01

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000

The flower of Ipomoea pandurata is funnelform in shape. The deep pink interior is visible even from the outside through the white corolla tube.

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2016-July-01

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000

The inflorescence of Wild Potato Vine are flowering stalks developing in the axils of the leaves. Each flowering stalk may have 1 to 5 flowers. In my *limited* experience it is unusual for there be more than one flower open on a flowering stalk at the same time.

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2016-July-01

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000Tamron 90mm Macro

While there may only be a single flower on a given flowering stalk open at the same time, the stalks may be closely placed together, allowing for several blossoms to be clustered together.

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2016-July-01

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000

The leaves of Ipomoea pandurata are alternate along the stem and on long petioles (although usually shorter than the flowering stalk.) The leaf bases are usually cordate, and the tip is acute to acuminate.

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Site: Walker County, Ga Date: 2009-July-04

Photographer: Gerald C Williamson

The wild potato plant is a morning glory vine which can be 15' long or longer.